CSU Showcases Leadership in Counseling Psychology Education by Hosting 37th Annual Great Lakes Regional Conference

Continuing a longstanding tradition of leadership in counseling psychology education, Cleveland State University’s School of Education and Counseling hosted the 37th Annual Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference on April 24–25 at Julka Hall. The event was convened by CSU’s Levin College of Public Affairs and Education.

The prestigious conference, recognized as the longest-running regional counseling psychology conference in the nation, brought together students, faculty and professionals from 18 colleges and universities across the Midwest. 

Hosted by CSU’s School of Education and Counseling, Counseling Psychology specialization within the Urban Education Ph.D. program, in collaboration with The University of Akron, the event highlighted CSU’s commitment to advancing scholarship, professional development and community impact in the counseling field.

Since its founding in 1988, the Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference has played a vital role in preparing future counseling psychologists. The annual gathering provides opportunities for students and faculty to deepen professional knowledge, present and disseminate research, and build meaningful networks across institutions. By serving as host for the first time since 2014, CSU demonstrated the strength of its nationally respected programs and its role in shaping the future of the profession.

This year’s conference featured keynote presentations from two nationally prominent leaders in the discipline: Dr. Delishia M. Pittman, associate professor of counseling psychology at Temple University and president of the Society of Counseling Psychology, American Psychological Association (APA) Division 17; and Dr. Elizabeth M. Vera, professor of counseling psychology and program co-chair at Loyola University Chicago. Their presence underscored the significance of the conference and CSU’s ability to convene top voices in the profession.

Attendees also participated in three poster sessions showcasing cutting-edge student and faculty research, as well as multiple roundtable discussions addressing timely issues in counseling psychology. These collaborative learning opportunities reflect the kind of experiential, research-driven training that defines CSU’s approach to graduate education.

The conference steering committee included Levin College counseling psychology faculty members Drs. Casey Hinger, Tawanda Greer-Medley and Julia Phillips, along with counseling psychology doctoral students Fahimeh Asadi, Ashley Velez and Katelyne Griffin-Todd. Their leadership demonstrated the university’s emphasis on mentorship, student engagement and hands-on professional experience.

“Coming together for the conference reinforced the values in our profession, particularly our commitment to social justice and advocacy,” said Dr. Greer-Medley, associate director of counseling and director of doctoral studies in urban education. “It was also important for our doctoral students and faculty from around the Great Lakes Region to be empowered and inspired to continue to be change agents in the environments and systems in which we work.”

Dr. Phillips was honored and presented with flowers at the History of Psychology Museum in Akron in recognition of her upcoming retirement. “It was such a privilege to honor Julia’s impact on the field of counseling psychology,” said Dr. Hinger, assistant professor. “She has left a legacy defined not only by her accomplishments but by the generations of students and colleagues she has mentored and inspired.”

Drs. Hinger and Stephanie Drcar also opened Saturday’s programming with a symposium titled Different Beginnings, Shared Destination: Becoming a Counseling Psychologist, emphasizing the many pathways students take into the profession and the shared mission of serving others through counseling and advocacy.

CSU once again showcased why it is regarded as a regional and national force in counseling psychology education by hosting the conference. Through innovative academic programs, strong faculty leadership and a deep commitment to student success, CSU continues to prepare the next generation of counseling psychologists to lead with expertise, compassion and purpose.